Congress has not yet funded an authorization that would allow for using the DoD Protected Critical Infrastructure Program (DCIP) to help get off-base infrastructure flood-ready. The authorization is a departure from the military’s traditional position that civilian instruction is “not their job,” said John Conger, former DOD comptroller and now director of the Center for Climate and Security.

“This is very new,” Conger told The Post and Courier in Charleston, S.C. “I’ve never seen a thing with this much authority.” He added that Congress needs to fund the authorization before its “full potential” will be seen.

South Carolina’s coastline is at risk from rising sea levels, and state and city officials are working on resiliency plans.

The paper asked Charleston’s chief resilience officer, Mark Wilbert, if the city could use the extra funding as it prepares its infrastructure for weather changes.